Extended unemployment benefits temporarily expired Mondayfollowing the Senate's decision to take its spring recess without approving aone-month deadline extension.

The extension, which will cost around $10 billion, was held upby Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who, according to CNN, said no until the costs are offset.

"The Oklahoma senator objected to a commonly usedunanimous-consent agreement to pass the bill under emergencyconditions, even if it increases the federal deficit. Coburn wantsto eliminate additional government spending to pay for the bill,"writes Brianna Keilar, CNN.

"The legitimate debate is whether we borrow and steal from ourkids or we get out of town and send the bill to our kids forsomething that we're going to consume today," Coburn said on theSenate floor.

At least 212,000 Americans will be affected Monday, Judy Contiof the National Employment Law Project tells The Hill.

The jobless benefits program that expired Monday included 99weeks of unemployment benefits; Normally, 26 weeks areavailable.

Conti says for each additional week the program isn't extended,another 200,000 will see an interruption in benefits.

COBRA subsidy program -

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)included a 65 percent subsidy designed to make COBRA healthinsurance coverage more affordable for qualifying individuals andfamilies for up to nine months. Since Dec. 21, 2009, the subsidyhas been extended several times and in several ways:

• The duration of the subsidy was extended from nine months to 15months.
• The eligibility period was extended to include those who becameeligible for COBRA due to a lay off on or before Feb. 28, 2010
• The eligibility period was again extended to include those whobecame eligible for COBRA due to a lay off on or before March 31,2010

Unless Congress extends the eligibility period again, no one whobecomes eligible for COBRA health insurance after March 31, 2010will qualify to receive the COBRA subsidy, though they may opt topay for COBRA coverage on their own.

FAQs Regarding the COBRA Subsidy (provided byeHealthInsurance):

Question: Now that the COBRA subsidy eligibility hasexpired, does that mean I'll stop receiving subsidies forCOBRA?

Answer: No, the term "expiration" only refers to people whowould become eligible for COBRA for the first time on or afterApril 1, 2010. If you're already receiving the COBRA subsidy,you'll continue to get your premium assistance for up to 15 monthsfrom your initial enrollment date, provided you continue to meetthe eligibility requirements for the subsidy.

Question: Will the subsidy be extended for peoplewho become eligible for COBRA after April 1,2010?

Answer: Possibly. Efforts are under way to extend the subsidy'seligibility period. Senate legislation that would extend it throughthe end of 2010 has not yet been agreed to by the House ofRepresentatives or signed into law.

If you are laid off after March 31, 2010 and the COBRA subsidyeligibility period is subsequently extended, you may be able toreceive subsidy assistance retroactive to April 1, 2010, dependingon the provisions of the legislation in its final form. In themeantime, you may continue your health insurance coverage throughCOBRA at your own expense.

Question: My subsidy is set to run out after May 31,2010. What should I do if I don't have access to group coverage bythen?

Answer: If you were among the first recipients to receive theCOBRA subsidy, you should start to research your options andalternatives for health coverage right now.

Anyone who is relatively healthy and worried that they won't beable to afford non-subsidized COBRA premiums should be aware thatit can take up to two to four weeks (longer in some cases) to getapproved for private, non-group health insurance.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, your best optionis to continue COBRA coverage at your own expense. If you can'tafford the unsubsidized COBRA premiums, you'll need to look intoother government-sponsored options available in your state. TheFoundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE) has an excellentWeb site and their U.S. Uninsured Help Line can connect you withpublicly-funded programs in your state. Their Web site is www.coverageforall.org andtheir toll-free number is 800-234-1317.

Question: Isn't the passage of health reform goingto make it easier for me to continue COBRA coverage or receive thesubsidy?

Answer: Not necessarily. While the health reform legislationsigned into law by President Obama may make it easier for you toqualify for and purchase individual and family health insurancecoverage, many of its provisions don't become effective until 2014.Health reform legislation doesn't extend COBRA coverage for thosewho qualify for it today, nor does it specifically address thecurrent federal subsidy for COBRA